Mich. voters: Santorum connects better than Romney
(AP)

AP - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum promised Monday to revive manufacturing, cut taxes and shrink government, pledges that drew loud applause from conservative Michigan voters who said he was more in line with their values than native son and GOP rival Mitt Romney.

DES MOINES — The most wide-open Republican presidential nomination campaign in memory had its unofficial opening here on Saturday at a gathering that highlighted anew the thorny path ahead for candidates as they try to attract support from the party’s conservative base without compromising their hopes of winning a general election.

OXON HILL, Md. — Republican Mitt Romney apologized for losing the presidential election as he returned to the national stage on Friday, promising to work in a diminished role alongside conservative activists to help strengthen the GOP.
“Each of us in our own way will have to step up and meet our responsibility,” Romney told a crowded ballroom at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a three-day summit for activists in suburban Washington.

A day after Mitt Romney made comments that didn't completely shut the door on another run for president in 2016, a new poll suggests he'd dominate the Republican field in Iowa if he does decide to enter the race.

After traveling down to Utah for Mitt Romney's annual donor confab, former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is very confident the 2008 and 2012 Republican presidential candidate won't be making a third White House run anytime soon.